Kelli at Carnegie
Kelli at Carnegie
#1Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 10/30/16 at 4:50am
It is too late and I am a bit too tired to give this extraordinary concert all the attention it deserves. Others will certainly want to weigh in. It was the something special that you would expect from this talented, warm and intelligent woman. It seems like her entire extended family was present, many in the first tier box closest to the stage, and she made no apologies for including them in some way in her show, for example, in singing a song that she had written for her young daughter..
Early on, after singing "This Nearly Was Mine," one of at least five songs she performed from her recent album, she credited Sondheim for his help and advice in the time before she broke through with Piazza. One piece of advice was to sing more songs written for men. In his honor she then sang "Finishing the Hat," also from her last album.
Also early on she praised Barbara Cook for all the help and advice and support she had received from her in the days before stardom and Tony nominations. Then Ms. Cook came on to the stage, sadly in a wheel chair and without much ability to sing left, but gladly in the enormous ovation that came from the audience.
About forty minutes into the concert, Kelli introduced her husband, Greg Naughton, and they sang (and danced to) a song I believe she said was one of their favorites, although not known widely. Then Mr. Naughton's two band mates were introduced and they played a song.
At this point the cynical New Yorker might be thinking that she was going to do ninety minutes at most and she was spending twenty minutes of it plugging her husband's band, which has yet to receive recognition similar to her own. Fear not. Kelli's concert was two hours and fifteen minutes in length, with her on the stage every minute. And the three members of Naughton's band and Kelly stepped forward to the front of the stage, away from the audio equipment and, as Kelli said, to show off the great hall for what it was known for, let go in four part unamplified harmony.
The biggest surprise was reserved for the second half, when Kelli told again the story of the University of Oklahoma and Florence Birdwell and the latter's appearance at the Tony awards with two pupils nominated for the award. She praised Kristin for all the help and support and guidance that she had received when she was new to New York and further stated that at one of the early gatherings of the Tony nominees Kristin had come over and spoken in her ear, "This one's going to you." After a short chat, the two of them sang one of the night's musical highlights, what else but "Oklahoma" to an audience clap-along.
Here I'll leave off for now. Anyone following me who thinks that I made a mistake in my description is probably right and feel free to correct, not that anyone here would need my permission.
mike_ant
Understudy Joined: 9/18/14
#2Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 10/30/16 at 6:09am
Thanks for starting this. It was one of the most exhilarating concerts of my life, perfect ending to my one week trip here. My heart was so full of love and I got teary eyed most of the show. She was so humble and down to earth. The whole performance was like a giant dedication show to the people who helped her, family and friends. Not surprising, the theme was "never going solo" and she stuck to the theme the whole show.
The opening number was very telling to show where her forte is, a blend of Floyd's "Ain't it a pretty night" from opera "Susannah" and "I have dreamed" from King and I. But the whole night she showcased all different aspects of her, especially the country and jazzy sides that I wouldn't have thought before.
She wasn't afraid to let others take spotlight, and she was generous with the compliments. She even led the audience to sing Happy Birthday for Barbara Cook. The performance with Kristin Chenowith was electrifying and they clearly love and respect each other. I was hoping they would do "For Good", but Oklahoma was so much fun and their voices blended really well.
What elevated the night for me was how much she love to sing and she love their family and friends. When you have a solo in Carnegie Hall, you "have arrived"! Most people will bask in glory alone for that moment, but not her. She chose to share with friends and family, and it was so thrilling to see.
She also said she wished to do more operas in the future, possibly Ricky Ian Gordon's ones. Good for you, Kelli. There was a hilarious song near the end that perfectly showcased her country and opera sides, and it was a hoot! Whoever has said that she's bland, you should eat your heart out on that song!!!
Two encores, the first was "I Could Have Danced All Night" for her father. The second encore was the absolute highlight for me, a mash-up of "With a little help of my friends" and "You've got a friend", with backing vocals of all her family and friends, perfectly ended the night on REALLY high note. Truly a class act!!
Thank you very much Kelli, for the gift of music and for giving so much. You made this birthday boy a VERY happy man!!! Please continue to "Make Someone Happy"!!!!!
Whateverjsays
Featured Actor Joined: 7/12/16
#3Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 10/30/16 at 7:37am
Kristin was posting pictures on her Instagram when she was backstage, I love the amount of support and love they have for each other! I wish I could've been there
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#4Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 10/30/16 at 9:12am
It was so perfectly Kelli. It captured the essence of her spirit -- her love and appreciation for those in her circle of family and friends, and the joy that entertaining gives her.
Shes an extraordinary performer and an even more extraordinary human being. I've had the great honor to have worked on a few concerts with her over the past few years and I stand in awe of her talent and her generosity.
Her program last night was titled "Never Go Solo" which captures her true essence. She wrote: "It is one of my greatest honors to welcome you all here tonight to share with me an intimate and introspective (hopefully for us all) evening of music and words". She went on to share "Every song I will sing tonight will be about someone who helped me get here. Every note and every word will be shared in the spirit of gratitude -- gratitude for my family,my friends, my teachers, my team and my audience."
This spirit of gratitude and generosity, combined with her kindness and gracious class, come through in her stunning voice and the way she brings her songs to life. From the thrilling high C's that fill the Hall to the quiet a capella notes that float quietly up to the highest seats in the balcony, she delivers her music with pure joy for all.
Anyone who knows me knows that I hold Kelli O'Hara in highest regard. I simply adore her. Last night's performance was the perfect "solo" debut. I didn't want to leave -- and could have danced all night!
i hope everyone else who attended discovered her magic. Brava, Kelli!
"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#5Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 10/30/16 at 9:14am
And, yes, I wiped away tears more than once.
"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."
#6Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 10/30/16 at 11:18am
I feel so grateful to have attended Kelli's Carnegie Hall debut. Last night will be a treasured memory for years to come. What a talent! What a soul! What a show!
Still mesmerized by her To Build a Home from Bridges. It was lovely to hear The Light on the Piazza. (It is time for a revival btw imo). She really showed off her comedic acting chops with They Don't Let You in the Opera (If you're a Country Star). Other favorites included This Nearly was Mine, Make Someone Happy, He Loves Me, I Could Have Danced All Night and The Sun Went Out.
We were so surprised and ecstatic to get to see Barbara Cook and Kristin Chenoweth. We got to sing Happy Birthday for Barbara's 89th. Kelli said we will all be back next year to celebrate her 90th with a big bang. Kristen ran over from tech rehearsal since she opens at the Lunt-Fontanne on Wednesday Nov. 2nd. So much fun to see two Okies sing Oklahoma.
Dan Lipton did a wonderful job arranging the material and the 10 piece band sounded great. Kelli graciously shared the stage with them and gave us a bit of history as to how each and every one has become part of her family. Speaking of family, she sang a song first to her son Owen and then an original composition to her three year old daughter Charlotte. Both were in the left first tier. As already mentioned, Kelli was also joined by her husband Greg, father-in-law Jim and many friends who she has worked with throughout her career. So much grace and warmth. The entire evening was perfect!
Kelli--Sending you big hugs.
#7Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 10/30/16 at 12:42pm
The "hoot" that Mike referred to was the 7 minute comedic tour de force "They Don't Let You in the Opera (If You're a Country Star)" on the last album which traces the story of a woman who had become a country star against her will while really aspiring to the Met, and how she overcame the prejudice of the Met against anything country in a very unusual way. Kelli put on a cowboy hat for this one.
Kelli also revealed to the audience that she was suffering from laryngitis. I would never had noticed. At the post-concert reception she said that it had only affected her low notes - her high Cs were not affected.
If any part of the night was a little disappointing, it was in the area in which I was already expecting disappointment: the post-concert reception. I was pretty happy at somehow being one of the subscribers invited to attend the reception, which promised to deliver Ms. O'Hara to the reception room a half hour after the end of the concert ready to chat with those in the room. I just couldn't see her circulating around the rather small room for 30 or 40 minutes stopping to greet us and have a few words.
The Hall had expected the concert to end at 9:30, after which Kelli would change clothes and spend some time at the reception. The reality was that the concert had ended at 10:15, Kelli was tired and had her whole extended family in attendance, including her two young children. She stood at the door to the room, still in her gown, and took compliments and answered questions for 5 or 10 minutes and then was gone. A consolation was that I was standing right next to her, and I'm sure she was wearing some kind of heels underneath the gown. If not for the heels, she would not have been taller than me.
Memo to Carnegie Hall -- when you said that light refreshments would be served, I was not expecting caviar and shrimp. But popcorn and potato chips?
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#8Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 10/30/16 at 4:44pm
By the way: Kelli will be performing "Babes in Toyland" at Carnegie Hall on April 27, 2017.
Ted Sperling is conducting and the cast includes Kelli, Bill Irwin, Lauren Worsham and Christopher Fitzgerald.
It will be glorious to hear that score with full orchestra!
You can find details at MasterVoices.org or PM me!
"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."
Updated On: 10/30/16 at 04:44 PM
#9Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 10/31/16 at 10:17pm
Review and Photos from the News.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/theater-arts/kelli-o-hara-shares-carnegie-hall-solo-debut-family-friends-article-1.2852160
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#10Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 10/31/16 at 10:54pm
Oh, wonderful!
Such a special night.
"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."
#11Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 11/1/16 at 10:21am
I flew into town for this concert and boy was I anything but disappointed. What a glorious evening! The biggest highlights for me were This Nearly Was Mine, To Build A Home, The Light In The Piazza, Make Someone Happy, and Make Our Garden Grow.
It was one of the very best events I've ever witnessed in NYC. Still pinching myself I was able to experience this glorious evening!
#12Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 11/1/16 at 10:25am
This sounds like one of those concerts that happen once in a lifetime.
#13Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 11/1/16 at 11:45am
Can't really say much more than what was said above. It was a glorious evening. I don't think she has ever sung "The Light in the Piazza" as well as she did on Saturday night. Just hearing the opening chords got me teary
Every single time you thought the concert was sadly coming to an end, she just kept going and going and delighting us with more. There was a tremendous amount of love in that room.
-There's the muddle in the middle. There's the puddle where the poodle did the piddle."
#14Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 11/1/16 at 11:47am
PJ ^ it absolutely was. What a way to make a Carnegie solo debut.
-There's the muddle in the middle. There's the puddle where the poodle did the piddle."
decotodd
Stand-by Joined: 2/15/05
#15Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 11/1/16 at 5:03pm
The concert sounds magical. She was in LA about 2 weeks ago, but I was out of town. Aside from the 2 guest stars, assume it was the same set. How great to hear the songs from BRIDGES and PIAZZA again!
Did anyone catch Kelli's 2-episode arc on MASTERS OF SEX? Second part aired Sunday evening. It was a beautiful performance -- she played Bill Master's college sweetheart who haven't seen each other in 30 years. The scene in the hotel was devastating when she and Bill (Michael Sheen) realize that she never received his letter proposing marriage.
#16Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 11/1/16 at 7:30pm
Just this morning I was reminded that on December 10th, in just a little over a month, I'll be driving out to the State University at Stony Brook to see Kelly in concert at the Staller Center Main Stage on campus. Stony Brook is on the north shore of Suffolk County, just west of Port Jefferson. This venue seats only one thousand and all tickets were $48. I don't know what to expect, but I don't think that I'll be disappointed.
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#17Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 11/1/16 at 9:49pm
She never disappoints! I'll look forward to hearing about it.
"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."
#18Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 11/2/16 at 11:39am
It was an incredible concert. Amazing. I was lucky enough to have sat next to Kelli's cousin who flew in from Austin, Texas, along with her son.
mike_ant
Understudy Joined: 9/18/14
#19Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 11/2/16 at 12:44pm
A little anecdote. As I was leaving my seat, I overheard two ladies behind me complained, saying that "too much chatter ... who cares about her family" and "too much modern music"!!! I was this close to make snarky remarks back, but since I was in cloud nine and full of gratittude, I decided to let it go. It's just so disheartening to hear that. Kelli gave so much that night, and yet it was still not enough to some. 
#20Kelli at Carnegie
Posted: 11/2/16 at 3:15pm
I loved all the patter. And, that was the point of the entire evening - she was not there alone. She credited people all night long who have supported & helped her. Amazing how people will complain about things that are just so ridiculous. Those 2 women are idiots....
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